Propelling Tammi Toward a Brighter Future
Tammi came to Jewish Family Service in March 2021 through the Colorado Works Employment Assistance Program (also known as TANF – Temporary Aid to Needy Families). She worked with her case manager to determine which programs and classes she wanted to register for and has fully immersed herself in what JFS has to offer.
Within three months, Tammi has completed the following Employment Services and Abby’s Impact classes: Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By-World, Cornerstone: Foundations in Financial Health, and Love and Logic: Parenting the Love and Logic Way. She has also participated in Living in a Virtual World, Cooking Matters, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Skills Training, and Career Launchpad classes.
She shares, “The staff is all about us! They are trying to make our lives better and it feels good to know I have you guys. TANF typically just makes you go do different things. I thought I was going to be forced to do something, but I haven’t. And I know if you all do this for me you must do it for everyone else.”
Through her experience with JFS, Tammi has committed to learning and applying new material to her life. She explained that she has been able to use each class in her everyday life. Tammi has shared that Love and Logic helps her better understand her teenaged daughter, allowing her to combine discipline with love. “Before I could not get my daughter to do chores,” Tammi says. “She thought that was my job, but now she’s doing things! It has taken the pressure off me.”
She has extended this approach to her other classes as well and shares, “Mindfulness from ACT helps me to just breathe and think when I’m angry. I never used that before, but I needed it in my life. My reaction to stressors has been to flip out and I’ve seen my daughter do it, too, but if I knew before how to practice mindfulness, I think my daughter could have learned it without ever shutting down.”
ACT and Love and Logic are allowing Tammi to build patience and understanding between herself and her daughter. Tammi says she wishes she could have developed so many of the offered skills earlier in life but is grateful to be learning more now. “I never learned the value of money and saving until Cornerstone. My instructor Jessica Mellars taught me how to put things aside and let it grow. It helped me see that I don’t need money as much as I thought to accomplish things.”
Beyond developing new goal setting, coping, and relationship management skills, Tammi is growing more confident in her ability to return to work. She shared that while it has been some time since she last worked, she is eager to learn new strategies. Working with Employment Program Coordinator Heather Seiden and Job Readiness Instructor Stacy Winner has equipped Tammi with knowledge and habits of which she was previously unaware. She says, “I learned about researching, customizing my resume, and even created a cover letter. I didn’t know you were allowed to fit your resume to match the job. So much of what we learned makes so much sense and it woke me up! I learned I should study about a job before applying. I’m just learning so much!”
Tammi is feeling more confident in the job application process but is grateful to have Heather and Stacy in her corner when she begins applying. “Heather and Stacy are great because Stacy teaches that technical piece and Heather shows how things work in the real world and in life. They make such a great team and having them takes weight off my back!”
Not only does Tammi find guidance from her instructors, but also from her classmates. “Now I have two friends from class, and they send me positive messages,” she says with a smile. “It changes my outlook on life. I feel like I’m opening up again.” The support has allowed Tammi to build her own self-assurance as she realizes the help she in turn offers to peers is accepted and appreciated. When asked about her experiences and growth, confidence resonated throughout her responses. “Working more with my daughter and in the classes has helped build my self-esteem. Love and Logic helps me be a stronger, more confident parent because my daughter is not the parent—I am. Working around my resume and customizing for the company I want to work for helps me feel more confident about applying. I’m not going in blind anymore. When I can help others in class it makes me feel confident and proud. It lets me feel like I can help someone else, and I would not have had that without the classes and support of everyone.”
Tammi has been able to grow and encourage others along the way. She says her instructor Jessica sharing her journey gives her hope and power. “I never realized before how people depend on each other until Jessica and the Getting Ahead class.” Tammi is excited to continue in classes with her peers and to work with the Employment Services team as she continues to help others and herself while finding strength. “Just by showing up for class, I know I’m doing something for myself and I feel so powerful after classes. I feel like I am working toward a goal and I’m not alone. I can share it with others and work on it because others want to help and want me to succeed. The team is very uplifting. They make me want to get up and go for it. I would tell my neighbors or anyone I know that needs help to come to JFS!”